Hand-held food cutter with shape imparting device

ABSTRACT

A device for cutting food into bite-sized portions includes a first component that includes a base section having a plurality of individual, separate food-receiving slots that are defined by a plurality of walls and are open at both ends thereof. At least some of the walls have arcuate shaped bottom edges. The first component further includes a handle that extends beyond the base section for grasping. Each food receiving slot is formed to have a predetermined shape. The device also includes a second component, separate from the first component, that includes a plurality of fingers that have closed bottom ends. The fingers are sized and shaped to be received within the individual, separate food-receiving slots for ejecting food that is contained in the food receiving slots.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cutting implement and in particular,to a hand-held food cutter with shape imparting device that cuts foodinto fun shaped bite-sized pieces.

BACKGROUND

Mealtime can be not a lot of fun and even stressful forparents/caregivers and children. Parents want children to eat food thatis good for them and to try new things but this can be time-consumingand frustrating. Everyone is so busy. Frozen food, fast food and junkfood that is often available in fun bite-sized shapes surround us andentice children. To get children to eat good food, parents often spendso much time cutting food into bite-sized pieces so it is easier andmore appealing to eat. Still, children pick and choose what theywant—not always choosing the most nutritious food, but rather the mostfun looking food.

In addition, obesity has become a national epidemic, especially amongchildren. This is in part due to an unhealthy change in children's dietsin the past years as well as children becoming less active. There is aneed to address this growing epidemic and to offer a practical simplesolution to a growing problem and to change how parents and childrenlook at mealtime overall. This present invention provides a product thatis designed to help parents and caregivers counter the growing problem,help promote healthier eating in children and make mealtime lessstressful and more fun for all concerned.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a device for cutting food intobite-sized pieces includes a first component that includes a basesection having a plurality of individual, separate food-receiving slotsthat are defined by a plurality of walls and are open at both endsthereof. At least some of the walls have arcuate shaped bottom edges.The first component further includes a handle that extends beyond thebase section for grasping. Each food receiving slot is formed to have apredetermined shape. The device also includes a second component,separate from the first component, that includes a plurality of fingersthat have closed bottom ends. The fingers are sized and shaped to bereceived within the individual, separate food-receiving slots forejecting food that is contained in the food receiving slots.

These and other aspects, features and advantages shall be apparent fromthe accompanying drawings and description of certain embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top and side perspective view of a food cutter deviceaccording to one embodiment in an assembled state;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the assembled device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is side elevation view of the assembled device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a first part of the device;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view the first part;

FIG. 6 is a top and side perspective view of a second part of thedevice;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the second part;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 in an assembledposition;

FIG. 9 is a bottom and side perspective view of a food cutter deviceaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the food cutter device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a first part of the device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a top and side perspective view of a second part of thedevice of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the device in FIG. 9 in theassembled state; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a second part showing a lockingmechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one product or device 100 in accordance with thepresent invention. The device 100 is designed to make mealtime simplerand more fun for parents/caregivers and children. In other words, bymaking the eating of healthy food more of a fun and enjoyableexperience, the odds increase that the child will try new food, eathealthier food and will hopefully cultivate a taste for such healthierfood over time.

The device 100 is designed to cut or partition a food into smallerportions “fun bites” that are more enticing to children. Thus, thedevice 100 can be thought of as at least in part as being a food cutterthat easily cuts food into predetermined bite-sized shapes.

The device 100 includes a first component or part 200 that functions asa food cutter and as described herein is designed to cut food into aplurality of bite-sized portions and a second component or part 300 thatacts as pusher and discharges the bite-sized portions that are cut andcollected in the first part 200.

The first component 200 is preferably a single, integral structure, suchas a molded plastic article that can be formed in any number ofdifferent colors. The first component generally includes a first face(outer surface) 202 that faces away from the food to be cut; an oppositesecond face (inner surface) 204 that faces the food to be cut; a firstend 206; and an opposing second end 208. The first component 200 has abase section 210 that acts as a cutting and collection member and ahandle section 201 that extends outwardly from the base section 210.

The base section 210 is substantially hollow and includes a plurality offood receiving slots 220 that are formed to have a predetermined shape.The base section 210 is defined by a pair of side walls 222 and a pairof end walls 224 and in the illustrated embodiment, these walls 222, 224define a box-like structure with the slots 220 being locatedtherebetween. The slots 220 are also formed by one or more intermediatewalls 230 that intersect the pair of side walls 222 or the pair of endwalls 224. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, there arefive intermediate walls 230 that define the 12 food receiving slots 220.More specifically, there are two intermediate wall 230 that extendsbetween the end walls 224 and there are three intermediate walls 230,spaced from one another, that extend between the side walls 222 to formthe grid-like pattern.

The walls 222, 224, 230 can be thought of as being blades and the slots220 define individual spaces that receive the segmented (cut) food. Theslots 220 have a height and there can accommodate a tall segmentedportion of food.

In accordance with the present invention, each of the side walls 222,end walls 224 and intermediate walls 230 includes a cutting element 250that is formed as a part thereof and is located along the second face204. The cutting elements 250 can be tapered bottom edges of therespective walls or otherwise sharpened edges.

As shown in the figures and in accordance with the present invention, atleast some of the walls 222, 224, 230 are arcuate shaped blades that aredesigned so that when the first component 200 is rocked back and forthon the cutting surface, the food is easily cut. In other words and asdescribed herein, to cut food, the first component 200 is inserted intothe food and then the first component 200 is rocked back and forth toeffectuate a cutting action resulting in the food being cut intoindividual bite-sized food segments. Each food receiving slot 220receives one bite-sized food segment. As shown in FIG. 5, the height ofthe walls 222, 230 is greatest in the middle portion thereof. The endwalls 224 can have a uniform height.

In the illustrated embodiment, longitudinal walls, namely, walls 222 andsome of walls 230, that extend a length of the first component 200 arethe ones that are arcuate shaped and have sharpened bottom edges, whilewalls that extend along a width of the first component are planar andinclude sharpened edges.

The handle section 201 is located above the base section 210 and isdesigned to provide a structure that the user can grasp and manipulatethe device 100 and in particular, the first component 200 is held by thehandle section 201 at ends 206, 208 thereof and then is directeddownwardly into the food. The ends 206, 208 define the ends of thedevice 100 and extend beyond the base section 210. The width of thehandle section 201 can also be greater than the base section 210 andtherefore, the handle section 201 effectively extends beyond the sidesand ends of the base section 210.

The handle section 201 has an upward lip or flange 260.

The second component 300 acts as pusher and discharges the bite-sizedportions that are cut and collected in the slots 220 of the first part200. The second component 300 is therefore designed to complement andmate with the first component 200. More specifically, the secondcomponent 300 is generally in the form of a pusher that mates with thebase section 210 for ejecting the food that is received within the foodreceiving slots 220.

The second component 300 includes a base section 310 and a plurality ofprotrusions or fingers 320 that extend outwardly form the base section310. The base section 310 also serves as a handle portion that allowsthe user to easily grasp the second component 300 and insert it into thebase section 210. The number of fingers 320 is preferably equal to thenumber of food receiving slots or spaces 220. The fingers 320 thusdescend downwardly from the base section 310.

As shown in FIG. 8, walls 365 that are located between the fingers 320at the top ends thereof seat against the top edges of the walls 230 soas to limit the movement of the second component 300.

The fingers 320 are thus elongated structures that have closed bottomends 322. In the illustrated embodiment, the fingers 320 are generallysquare shaped and are complementary to the food receiving slots 220 sothat when the fingers 320 are received within the slots 220, a snug,frictional fit can result or a slight space can be formed betweentherebetween. In other words, the walls of the fingers 320 can seatagainst the walls that define the slots 220. As shown, the closed bottomends 322 are non-parallel and can be arcuate shaped. The ends 322 thusmirror the arcuate nature of the walls of the base section 210.

The spacing between the fingers 320 is selected so that the walls 230can be received therebetween when the fingers 320 are inserted into theopen food receiving slots 220 as shown in FIG. 2.

The heights of the fingers 320 are preferably greater than the height ofthe base section 210 since when the first and second components 200, 300mate together, the fingers 320 extend below the bottom edges of the basesection 210 as shown in the figures. This allows the fingers 320 toeject any food (i.e., the bite-sized food segments) that is disposedwithin the food receiving slots 220.

The base section 310 is received on a platform 255 of the handle section201 when the second component 300 is fully inserted into the firstcomponent 200.

The fingers 320 can be open along the base section 310. In other words,the fingers 320 can be hollow since the fingers 320 only need to haveclosed bottom ends 322 to eject the food that is contained within thefood receiving slots 220.

The operation of the device 100 is now described. First, the food is cutby inserting the bottom edges of the first component 200 into the foodand a cutting force is applied by directing the first component 200 intothe food. A rocking (side-by-side) movement can be undertaken to causecutting of the food into the bite-sized food segments. The walls 222,224, 230 define the shape of the food receiving slots 220 and thus, thebite-sized food segments can be formed to have any number of differentshapes, such as fun or decorative shapes, such as a triangle or star orheart, an outline of a character or animal, such as a fish, etc. Thefirst component 200 can also be designed so that it providestessellations for shapes or tangram puzzle comprising a variety ofdifferent shapes that when combined can create a repeating pattern orlarger shape.

Once the bite-sized food segments have been cut and collected in theslots 220, the second component 300 is then inserted into the open topsof the food receiving slots 220 and the fingers 320 are driven withinthe food-receiving slots 220 into contact with the captured (collected)food. As the fingers 320 are driven forward, the food is ejected out ofthe open bottom ends of the food receiving slots 220. The ejectedbite-sized food segments have fun shapes and promote trying new foodsand eating healthier food.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base section 210 has a generallyrectangular block-like structure; however, other shapes are equallypossible. In FIG. 4, each food receiving slot 220 has a square shape andthere is an array of food receiving slots 220. For example, there can befood receiving slots 220 of different shapes like triangles, circles,semicircles, heart, fish, stars, etc. along the length of the basesection 210 as measured in the direction of ends 206, 208.

The second component 300 can also be designed to imprint/stampimpressions on top of food pieces by using the fingers 320. In thiscase, the closed ends 322 of the fingers 320. The bottom of the closedends 322 of the fingers 320 can thus have an imprinted shape or the likethat can be used to imprint a shape or the like onto the food.

FIGS. 9-13 shows an alternative device 400 that is similar to device 100and therefore, similar or like elements are numbered alike. In thisdevice 400, there are a plurality of shaped food-receiving slots 405. Itwill be appreciated that unlike the first embodiment, the device 400includes food-receiving slots 405 that are not uniform throughout theentire device 400. Within a single device 400, there can be differentshaped food receiving slots 405 including both regular shapes andirregular shapes. Each food-receiving slot 405 is formed by a pluralityof walls that intersect or are otherwise joined to define thefood-receiving slot 405.

The device 400 includes a first component 410 that has many of the samecharacteristics as the first component 200, such as a plurality offood-receiving slots 405, base section 412 and a handle section 414. Asin the first embodiment, the walls that define the base section 412include sharpened ends 415 (cutting edges). The cutting edges 415 areformed along the bottom edges of the walls that define the base section412 and represent the portions of the base section 412 that come intocontact with the food.

As in the first embodiment, the food-receiving slots 405 define theshapes that the food is cut into and as will be appreciated withreference to FIGS. 9-13, the food-receiving slots 405 have non-uniformshapes in that the base section 412 include a plurality of differentlyshaped food-receiving slots 405. The shape and size of thefood-receiving slots 405 can vary and it will be appreciated that atleast two of the food-receiving slots 405 can be identical.

It will further be appreciated that two or more food-receiving slots 405can be combined to define a larger shaped slot. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, a plurality of food-receiving slots 405 can bestrategically shaped and located so as to define a large heart shape asshown. As illustrated, a series of triangular shaped food-receivingslots 405 and arcuate shaped food-receiving slots 405 are arranged todefine a large heart shaped food-receiving slot.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to onlybe in the form of heart shapes; however, the present invention coversthe principle of combining a number of individual food-receiving slots405 to define a greater sized shaped.

In addition, as shown, one of the food-receiving slots 405 that isseparate and does not form the larger shaped slot can have the sameshape as the larger shaped slot. For example, as shown, the largershaped slot is in the form of a heart that is formed of a number ofseparate food receiving slots (none of which individually is heartshaped) that when combined form the heart.

In addition, the device 400 also includes a second component (pusher)450 that has a base section 460 with fingers 470 extending therefromthat are received into the food-receiving slots 405 and ejects thecaptured (collected) food in the same manner discussed above withreference to the other embodiment. The pusher 450 is constructed similarto the first component 410 in that at least some of the walls of thepusher 450 have arcuate shaped bottom edges to allow a rocking motion ofthe device 400 as described herein.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the device 400 in a fully assembled position inwhich the pusher 450 is inserted into the food-receiving slots 405. Asin the first embodiment, it will be seen in FIG. 10 that when assembled,the pusher 450 extends below the cutting edges of the first component410.

FIG. 11 shows the first component 410 and FIG. 12 shows the secondcomponent 450 with the fingers 470. The fingers 470 are thus shaped tobe disposed within the different shaped food-receiving slots 405 andtherefore, as shown, there are arcuate shaped fingers 470, triangularshaped fingers 470, and two smaller heart shaped fingers 470 in theembodiment of FIG. 12. However, the fingers 470 are separate from oneanother and thus, small spaces are formed between the fingers 470.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the first and secondcomponents 410, 450 mated together with the second component 450extending below the cutting edges of the first component 410. The pushercan also have imprinted surfaces as discussed above with reference tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a locking mechanism that is part of the second part(pusher). In particular, the pusher can include a plurality of lockingtabs or protuberances (tabs) 490 that protrude outwardly from the bodyof the pusher. In the illustrated embodiment, there are fourprotuberances 490 with two on each side of the pusher body. Theprotuberances are located near the top of the pusher adjacent andintegral to select fingers of the pusher. When the pusher is fullyinserted into the first part/component, the protuberances 490frictionally seat against the walls of the first component so as to forma frictional fit between the two components. Thus, the two parts aremechanically coupled to one another yet can be detached when anappropriate force is applied.

It will be appreciated that the larger shaped food cut out is formed ofand provides various bite-sized food shapes that can be individuallyeaten. The walls of the individual shapes within the heart are shared bydifferent smaller shapes like triangles and semi-circles. When thesepieces are popped out the pieces, when combined, create a largerpuzzle-like shape of a heart in that the heart shaped food cut out isonly obtained when all of the individual pieces are properly combined.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembled unit has alength of about 6.0 inches and a width of about 3.75 inches and a heightof about 1.5 inches. The food receiving slot 320 is a square that hassides of about 0.75 inches in length. However, it will be appreciatedthat the devices of the present invention can be formed in any number ofsizes and the components can be formed of a number of differentmaterials. However, it is preferred for the parts to be formed of ahigh-performance engineering plastic (e.g., molded plastic parts).

It will be appreciated that while the figures show uniform foodreceiving slots and fingers, each of the first and second components canbe formed to have multiple shapes. For example, the food receiving slotsof the first component can include a any pattern (e.g., diamond,triangles, semi-circles, hearts and star shapes) of shapes andsimilarly, the fingers of the second component are complementary. Theshapes can be singular and the same as with the 12 square cutter or acomposition of many shapes to create a larger shape or design. Theshapes could also be a repeating pattern or tessellation.

In addition, the process of making the smaller portions from the overalllarger portion (entrée) is part of the overall plan for making eatinghealthy food less stressful, more fun and enjoyable. The devicesdisclosed herein can be used on most kid friendly food from simplefoods, such as bread and cheese to pancakes, pizza, fish, quesadilla,sandwiches and chicken. It is made of high performance material forstrength, durability and sharpness. The present device works on hardsurfaces such as a plate, cutting board or countertop and is top shelfdishwasher safe. The present device alleviates the need for the parentto spend significant time cutting kid's food into bite-sized pieces.Further, children love the bite-sized fun offered by the presentproduct. Not only is the meal nutritious but now it is much more fun toeat. The present device is thus of the type that permits the parent tosupply and make the food and let the device provide the fun and watch achild eat more nutritious food as a result of the fun sized bite-sizedfood, as well as the use of the device that makes the overall eatingexperience less stressful and more fun for everyone.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainembodiments thereof, the invention is capable of being practiced inother forms and using other materials and structures. Accordingly, theinvention is defined by the recitations in the claims appended heretoand equivalents thereof.

1. A device for cutting food into bite-sized portions comprising: afirst component that includes a base section having a plurality ofindividual, separate food-receiving slots that are defined by aplurality of walls and are open at both ends thereof, wherein at leastsome of the walls have arcuate shaped bottom edges, the first componentfurther including a handle that extends beyond the base section forgrasping, each food receiving slot being formed to have a predeterminedshape; and a second component, separate from the first component, thatincludes a plurality of fingers that have closed bottom ends, thefingers being sized and shaped to be received within the individual,separate food-receiving slots for ejecting food that is contained in thefood receiving slots.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond components each comprises a molded plastic member.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the food-receiving slots comprises an array ofslots.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the walls have sharpened bottomedges for cutting the food.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the wallscomprise walls that run length wise towards ends of the first componentand walls that run width wise towards sides of the first component. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein the handle section includes a centralplatform between handle end portions on which the second componentrests.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the fingers of the secondcomponent are arranged in an array.
 8. The device of claim 1, whereinthe second component includes an upper base section from which thefingers extend, the base section extending radially beyond the fingersso as to define a support surface that seats against a central portionof the handle section.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom endsof the fingers are arcuate shaped.
 10. The device of claim 1, whereinthe fingers are hollow structures open at tops thereof opposite theclosed bottom ends.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein a bottom surfaceof the closed bottom end of the finger includes imprint indicia fortransferring to food.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the imprintindicia has a shape different than the predetermined shape of thefood-receiving slot.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein heights of thefingers are greater than heights of the food receiving slots such thatin a fully inserted position, the closed bottom ends of the fingersextend below the first component to ensure ejection of the food.
 14. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the walls have beveled bottom edges forcutting the food.
 15. A device for cutting food into bite-sized portionscomprising: a first component that includes a base section having aplurality of individual, separate food-receiving slots that are definedby a plurality of walls and are open at both ends thereof, wherein thewalls include longitudinal walls that extend along a length of the firstcomponent, the longitudinal walls having arcuate shaped, sharpenedbottom edges for cutting the food using a side-to-side rocking motion,the first component further including a handle that extends beyond thebase section for grasping, each food receiving slot being formed to havea predetermined shape; and a second component, separate from the firstcomponent, that includes a plurality of fingers that have closed bottomends, the fingers being sized and shaped to be received within theindividual, separate food-receiving slots for ejecting food that iscontained in the food receiving slots.
 16. The device of claim 15,wherein a plurality of first food-receiving slots define, incombination, a larger shaped food cut out.
 17. The device of claim 16,wherein one or more second food receiving slot that is separate from anddoes not define a portion of the larger shaped image has the same shapeas the larger shaped food cut out.
 18. The device of claim 16, whereineach of the first food-receiving slots has a different shape than thelarger shaped food cut out.
 19. The device of claim 16, wherein thefirst food-receiving slots include two or more differently shaped slots.20. The device of claim 16, wherein at least one pair of adjacentfood-receiving slots share a common wall.
 21. The device of claim 16,wherein the second component includes a plurality of locking tabs thatfrictionally seat against walls of the first component when the two aremated together so as to mechanically couple the two together.
 22. Amethod for cutting a food item into bite-sized food portions comprisingthe steps of: providing a device for cutting food into bite-sizedportions, the device including a first component that includes a basesection having a plurality of individual, separate food-receiving slotsthat are defined by a plurality of walls and are open at both endsthereof, wherein the walls include longitudinal walls that extend alonga length of the first component, the longitudinal walls having arcuateshaped, sharpened bottom edges, each food receiving slot being formed tohave a predetermined shape; inserting the arcuate shaped, sharpenedbottom edges into the food item and applying a downward force to thefirst component in a direction toward the food item to cause the fooditem to be cut into the bite-sized portions having the predeterminedshapes; collecting the bite-sized portions within the food-receivingslots; and inserting fingers associated with a second component into thefood-receiving slots above the collected bite-sized portions and drivingthe fingers into contact with the collected bite-sized portions to causethe bite-sized portions to be ejected.